Asian Ambition: Gukesh Seeks to Dethrone Ding Liren in World Chess Championship

SINGAPORE, Dec 13 (Alayaran.com) - The highly anticipated World Chess Championship match between India's D Gukesh and China's Ding Liren is set to begin on Sunday, with the 18-year-old Indian aiming to become the first Indian to claim the title since Viswanathan Anand in 2007.

The championship, which marks a historic moment for Asia, as it has been over 138 years since an Asian player held the title. Gukesh, who won the Candidates tournament last December, is confident of beating Liren, citing his preparation and skills. "I'm not worried about the expectations or the weight of responsibility. I'll just go into every game as my best version of myself and play good chess," he said.

Gukesh's quest to become a world champion has been inspired by Anand, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. "If I do the right things and stay in the right spirits, I don't think it really matters" about Liren's recent form dip or any other factors.

In contrast, Liren is aware that Gukesh has had recent success, beating him earlier this year at the Tata Steel Chess tournament. The 32-year-old China native has already beaten Gukesh twice in three meetings and has a high rating to his name, although it has slipped significantly over the past few months.

As the match gets underway, fans can watch on FIDE's YouTube Channel as the two players face off in 14 classical games with a time control of 120 minutes per player. If the score is level after 13 games, a tiebreaker on speed starts, with rapid games, mini-matches, and one-off blitz matches to determine the champion.

India vs China comes down to Singapore; The stage is set at Sentosa Island.

The championship match will be broadcasted live, with expert commentary from renowned chess players. Gukesh's quest for history has been sparked by his impressive performance, having earned a peak rating of 2794. If he succeeds in dethroning Liren, it will not only secure India its first world champion since Anand but also provide a symbol of hope and inspiration to millions of young chess players across the globe.

This match represents more than just a World Chess Championship; it signifies a new era of Asian dominance in the game.